10 Spine-Tingling Books To Read Based On Your Favorite ‘Stranger Things’ Character

If the first season of Stranger Things left you with a craving for the weird and supernatural, look no further than these 10 spine-tingling books that will have you on the edge of your seat. The Netflix series was a goldmine of intriguing characters and we’ve selected one book for each, so pick your favorite character and let us help you find your next read!

1. Eleven

Did you find yourself captivated by the troubled young girl with special talents? Then you’ll love Firestarter by Stephen King. Charlie can start fires with her mind and is on the run from a government agency that wants her and her powers.

2. Mike Wheeler

If you found yourself relating to Mike and his gang of outcasts, then you might want to check out another of Stephen King’s masterpieces. It is a classic horror story about a band of young boys—and one girl—who battle a monstrous evil in a small town.

3. Dustin Henderson

Cory Jay Mackenson, the main character and narrator of Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon, says in his opening chapter, “I was born and raised in a magic time, in a magic town, among magicians.” He, like Dustin, has no problem accepting the supernatural. In fact, both boys seem to thrive on it.

4. Lucas Sinclair

Unlike Dustin, Lucas is suspicious of Eleven and wary of getting too involved. If you connected with this cautious character, you might also find yourself drawn to Will Halloway in Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes.

5. Will Byers

The Boys of Summer by Richard Cox centers around a boy who spends four years in a coma after a terrible tornado whips through Wichita Falls, Texas. When he does wake up, Todd has strange abilities and is plagued by hallucinations. His story might make us wonder what lies in wait for Will Byers after his time in the Upside Down.

6. Nancy Wheeler

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan is a comic book series perfect for readers who loved Nancy, the monster hunting big sister. The story starts the morning after Halloween, but there’s still plenty of creepy stuff going on when this group of young girls head out on their paper route.

7. Jonathan Byers

If you felt for Jonathan Byers, out to rescue his little brother, The Last Child by John Hart also tells a story of a brother’s search for a lost sibling, in this case a twin sister. This suspenseful crime thriller will keep you glued to the page.

8. Joyce Byers

Joyce, the mother who refuses to give up hope after her son’s disappearance, would certainly be able to sympathize with the main character of Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay. Elizabeth Sanderson’s son, Tommy, has also vanished mysteriously, leaving behind a mother desperate for answers.

9. Jim Hopper

In the Woods by Tana French follows Rob Ryan, a Dublin detective haunted by mysterious events of his own childhood which seem to be replaying themselves. He’ll have to dig into his own past to solve the murder of a young girl. If you were most intrigued by Jim Hopper, Hopkins’ Police Chief, you’ll enjoy this crime thriller.

10. The Monster

Couldn’t get enough of the monster? You should definitely check out The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft. The tentacled sea beast, Cthulhu, is a mainstay of the horror genre and not to be missed for monster lovers everywhere.